Laughing Wolf

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Rational Preparedness, Part Two

Originally posted April 30, 2003

A couple of points bear repeating today. First, rather than be overwhelmed by all the things that can happen, change your viewpoint to focus on the five outcomes. Five is much easier to deal with than infinity. Second, taking some rational precautions that prepare you for nature and for man does not mean that you are an evil or demented survivalist. It simply means that you are practical and have the best interest of your family and friends at heart.

Yesterday, we talked about the first two types of damage that can occur: personal injury and structural damage. A brief overview of a basic kit was discussed as well, and that is where I want to pick up today.

I mentioned that a hammer was in each kit. In fact, using tools and small kits picked up at trade shows and the like, I have several tools in each kit. The tools are so that you can drive nails, pry, screw, unscrew, and do general work. Why are they in each kit? Simple.

When an emergency happens, it is not the time to begin wondering “Now where did I leave the hammer?” If you need it, you are probably going to need it fast. Hammers are cheap if you don’t go fancy, and the same holds true for most basic tools. You don’t need a mechanic’s tool set in each kit, just a hammer, a flat-head screw driver and maybe a Phillips-head as well. If you can come up with other good tools for cheap or for free, grab them and include them. You can’t have too much in there, especially if you can get it for free.

The same holds true for medicines. I have allergies and am highly allergic to bee stings. For that reason, I have Benadryl in each kit because if I need it I will need it fast. Think about things that you and your family might need in that regard, and take the appropriate precautions. The nice thing about modern blister packs is that they are sealed, and there are usually several in a package. Get a package, and distribute the contents.

Lighting is something to think about a bit. Flashlights are good, and I highly recommend the Hubble flashlights in all sizes. They no longer come with the “Do not look into laser with remaining eyeball-type warning any more, but they might should. Bright, light, and useful in some truly nasty environments.

If there is gas in the area, or some other problem that could blow up in your face, you may not want to use a flashlight no matter what disaster it is rated for. Then you want to have a chemical light stick. These are moderately priced, come in colours, last for hours, produce no heat or spark, and have even more redeeming features. They also have a multi-year shelf life, so can be stored. I keep one or two around in each kit just in case.

Remember also that batteries can go dead, both in storage and in use. That is another good reason to keep some chemical lights around, and to have some candles. I have candles in the emergency kits, inside candle lanterns. If you hike or camp, candle lanterns are quite nice to have. They also work well for emergencies, since they can be hung or stood in place, and they shield the candle from the wind and the surroundings from the candle. Some even come with nifty reflectors, which aid in illumination. Any good camping or hiking store should have them, though I got mine at REI.

I love REI and get a lot of my camping and hiking supplies there. If you hike or camp, remember that your supplies for that make dandy emergency supplies as well. At a good store, you can get food, containers, candle lanterns, rope, and much more.

Tape is another issue of note. No, it does not have to be duct tape. What you want is a good tape, not cheap, that will stick and seal – and stay stuck. You want a good shipping tape, good duct tape, etc. My kits contain a variety, depending on what was on sale and/or what I bought bulk for the office. This means I have duct tape, high-quality packing tape, strapping tape, double sided tape, scotch tape, etc. Not everything is in every kit, but I do have some means of sealing things up in each one.

There is also usually a pencil, a marker, and a pen in each kit as well. This is not for writing farewell notes, but for marking things to be cut, where to place things, and leaving notes as needed. A pencil is in there because they really can’t go bad and can be sharpened with the utility knife or some such if needed. Pens and markers are there because they can and will mark about anything. Make sure both have waterproof ink. Just a hint.

Take a few minutes right now to think about food and water. If there is a bad emergency, you really don’t want to have to think about cooking. You will also probably want to think in terms of calories rather than a truly balanced meal. Keep it simple, and things are easy.

One of the things I do is keep some of the lunch box stuff on hand. These meals-in-one make dandy emergency food, are ready to eat, require no cooking, and have the advantage of being able to be used rather than thrown out as expiration dates approach. Keep things like that on hand, enough for each person to eat 1,500 or so calories each day for up to a week. If you build up, it is not expensive or hard, and they don’t really taste bad at all.

Water is the key, however. I approach it in two ways. My refrigerator has a large Brita tank and a large Brita pitcher. Between them, they have enough water to keep me going for 2-4 days on emergency rations. I also keep bottled water around. If you drink bottled water, just up what you normally buy a bit and then rotate your stock. That makes it easy to keep .5 to 1-litre a day per person on hand.

The advantage to the Brita is that you can also take semi-potable water and make it potable. This means you can pull from a variety of sources and get clean water. For pulling from non-potable water, however, you will need to get a water purification system. If you do either of the above methods, you should not need to do this. If you want to be safe, get a good purification system for camping and it will work well.

In your planning, remember that what goes in must also go out. Either plan for water to flush the toilets once a day or have an emergency potty ready to hand. You can make them real easily with garbage bags and some cardboard, or you can get more creative if you like. Plan ahead, and have lots of extra toilet paper on hand. Aside from the obvious use, it is an excellent filter material and has many other uses as well.

A book I highly recommend is Dean Ing’s “Pulling Through.” While written for a nuclear disaster, most of the preparations are rational and good for ANY emergency. A lot of good skull sweat went into what Dean wrote, so make use of it so you don’t have to sweat.

Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Start small, and build. Rational preparedness can help you through everything, from day-to-day emergencies to a true disaster. Be Prepared. Then, really honk people off and survive in style.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Preparedness Week:  Looking After Yourself

Originally posted June 25, 2004

Being prepared means many different things to people, but the final step is to be prepared to take care of yourself in the ultimate terms. This means, being prepared to take care of yourself medically and against those who do not have your best interest at heart (presuming, of course, that they have hearts).

The medical really is easy to do. First aid kits can be bought almost anywhere today, in all sizes and shapes. They pay for themselves because you don’t have to have a true disaster or emergency to need them. Around some of my family and friends, all it takes is everyday life. Add to that what some of my friends and I like to do for hobbies, and first aid kits and training are a great investment. Here is my big kit as I call it, which is in addition to the bought smaller kits scattered around the home and vehicles.

It offers a wide range of basic to medium-level first aid gear and is easy to use. One thing I also keep in it are spare keys. This is because people do some interesting things, and it gives a central place to keep keys for domestic or real emergencies. One key that is about every kit is a handcuff key, an idea I picked up from a friend who used to be a medic, and it is interesting how often such a key can and does come in handy. I don’t have the high-speed drill they had to use in regards a coke bottle one time… I also make sure that it is stocked with things I know I may need, such as antihistamines and stimulants in case I am stung or have other problems.
The other “big” kit is what I call my crash kit. It holds surgical dressings, gauze, tampons, and other things that come in handy if there is major trauma to deal with.

I hope that I never have to use it for its intended office, but various bits have come in handy just dealing with the scrapes, burns, and other delights of everyday life. And, yes, I did say tampons above. A corpsman pointed out to me one time a highly unofficial but very effective use for them with penetrating wounds, as well as giving one the chance to be a white knight if one is unexpectedly needed for its official office. If you have friends with teenage girls, the latter can happen more often than might be expected.

The comment posted to this post points out the fact that you do need to be able to look after yourself in other ways as well. While the author has told me that he was engaging in at least some hyperbole, the fact is that there are far too many moral and intellectual cripples our there who are serious. These are the people that will take the opportunity of a disaster or emergency to run wild. You need to be prepared for them, and to deal with them as you would any other rabid animal.

My own take is similar to Kim du Toit’s, only I am not going to say what all my preparations are right now. If someone sees me coming, some may be obvious, and some will not. To be honest, I am not going to say in part because I want anyone seeing me to wonder a bit about what I have or don’t have, who might or might not be with me and what they may or may not have, and to wonder if I have reverted to type with some friends and be moving with a screen out. Think, wonder, and run away.

Now, not everyone is going to do this, or at least not at first. If you fall in that category, you have two options: partner with someone who can and will, or look at other options for protection. I highly recommend partnering with people, as numbers and diversity of skills give you advantages. If firearms are not your thing, look at other things.

This is my hatchet or hand axe. I actually have several of them, from Dixie Gun Works, because my favored sport at Highland Games is axe throwing. Having several means that in an emergency I almost always have one to hand, and am not averse to throwing one away for good effect. These are a good investment, and I like them a lot more than the 100-things-in-one yuppie hatchets for sale.

In a true rotary impeller situation, blades come in very handy. You may need to cut, chop, and more, and a good hand axe and a good knife are crucial. For personal protection, people tend to be more afraid of getting cut than shot, so use that. If you won’t carry a gun, carry a knife, sword, or axe. For swords, while I love the katana, for ease of use and dealing with on foot, consider a Roman gladius. Also consider a bow and arrow, since the ammo is reusable or can be made with readily available resources. It has range and accuracy, relatively silent, and can do many things including getting rope or cord where it is needed.

As before, if you are going to go with only one weapon, consider a shotgun. It is versatile, effective, and efficient. One shotgun with some accessories gives you personal protection, the ability to hunt, and the ability to signal.

Whatever decisions you make, do prepare and do remember that in any emergency of any type, the only person who is responsible for you and your safety is you.

Rational Preparedness, Part One

Originally posted April 29,2003

Into every life, some rain must fall. There is no requirement, however, that it has to fall into your home and on you and yours. Some simple preparations can help you stay warm, dry, and minimize damage when the rain does fall.

Welcome to rational preparedness: common-sense things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and make your life a bit better in the meantime. Just so you know, I have done disaster preparedness consulting and written about the subject for a number of years. I am not a survivalist or such, just a former Boy Scout who took “Be Prepared” very seriously.

Actually, life made sure that I did, throwing a few interesting things my way. With good preparations I learned from my parents, from scouting, and from elsewhere, I did much more than survive: I got through it in style. The nice thing is, so can you.

There are all sorts of nasty things out there, and you can spend a small fortune preparing for each and every one of them. There are people selling all sorts of things at very high prices, from anti-terrorism planning kits to full MOPP gear. There is just so much out there and, yes, you can go buy it. Why? You can let all the different types of disasters possible overwhelm you. Why?
Why do it? Why spend the money? Why worry? Instead of loosing yourself this way, let’s look at things a bit differently. What are the things that are likely to happen to you? No, not the type of disaster that could befall, but rather what are the likely results of any of them? What are the common denominators of storms, earthquakes, explosions, and other natural or man-made fun?

They all boil down to five basic types of damage: personal injury, structural damage, consumables, wire systems, and infrastructure. Five things that are relatively easy to cope with, especially since many of them call for the same basic supplies.

Let’s start with the easiest one: personal injury. Do you have a first aid kit? If no, why not? If you don’t then your family obviously has much better coordination than most of mine, and you clearly don’t have small children. A first aid kit doesn’t have to be a big, expensive item. It can be a disposable storage container that has band-aids, ointment, and other such supplies in it. Making your own can be inexpensive, and can even be a fun home-schooling project.

The basics that I would recommend are: band-aids, gauze, tape, and ointment. If you have to take medicine on a regular basis, or suffer from allergies, make sure you put some of these medicines aside in the kits just in case. If you don’t want to make your own, you can find some very good basic, small kits for sale at very reasonable prices and add to them. I found some good deals at the K-Marts that were being closed down in my area. I have also picked up some good (and some not-so-good) kits as give-aways at trade shows. Look around, there is a lot of good stuff available for cheap or for free.

Now, I have both the small kits and some larger ones as well. Given all that I do, from shooting to hiking, I tend to keep a fairly good kit in the vehicle(s), and have my true disaster kits at home. The larger kits have things like hemostats, burn treatments, all sizes of pads, eye care, and a lot more. The thing to remember here is that you do not have to start big. Start small, and then work your way up as needed. That is what I did.

The main thing is, make it work for you. Have the basics, have some basic medicines that you need, make sure it will work for you for 1-5 days. Simple, and inexpensive to do.

Another good investment of time and money is in first aid books and training. CPR and emergency first aid classes are often taught for free, just call the local Red Cross or emergency response company and inquire. Your company may offer these courses as well, and you can get some kudos for attending. Make use of the cheap or free resources. Also, use the instructors and others to get ideas on really good first aid books and such. One of my favorites is still my old Boy Scout handbook, which while it does have some outdated information, the basics have not changed all that much. Add to it some of the more recent pamphlets and books, and you are set.

Think about things just a bit more, though. Aside from cuts and scrapes, the need for medicines, is there anything else particular to your situation that you need to consider? Any health problems? Do you wear glasses or contacts? You may want to think about keeping an old pair of glasses, or some cheap disposable contacts, in the first aid kit(s) just in case. Remember also that you don’t have to do it all at once, start small and then build up.

Keep in mind also that many things can serve dual uses. A good t-shirt doubled over your mouth and nose can make an excellent “gas mask” that will keep out dust and even many biological agents. Feminine pads and tampons can be used for first aid purposes. A cook I used to love to watch used the catchphrase “Make do with what you got” and he had the right of it. Use your head and there are a lot of resources available to you.

Structural damage is another area where you can begin making some preparations. Long before Tom Ridge developed his duct tape and plastic fetish, I had mine. Where I currently reside, we get thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes or tail end of same, earthquakes, and other delights. It has been a target area for years for people as well. So, looking at likely damage, I came up with a basic kit that is now in each room of the house.

The kit is a simple latch-top storage unit, that contains: a hammer, brads (small nails), tacks, plastic sheeting, tape of various types, a small first aid kit and/or basic supplies, nylon twine, utility knife, scissors, a church key (bottle/can opener), a couple of decks of cards, candles, matches, lighter, cylumes, and a flashlight. Now each kit may have additional items in it, but this is the basic load out.

The rational is simple. In an emergency, I don’t want to spend 10 minutes trying to remember where I put something, esp. as it may not be in the same place anymore. So, I have plastic and the means to put it firmly in place over a broken window, hole in the wall, or other breach. I can also throw the plastic over room contents while I deal with the breach. I have the means to see what I am doing, I can cut not only plastic but other items as needed. I even have entertainment. Everything I can need for a quick response is right there, so I can do the quick and then go get what is needed to do the rest.

Now, these kits did not happen overnight. They have been built up over years, so don’t think you have to do one for each room. Start with just one basic kit, and then work your way up.
In addition to the basic kits, I do have emergency food and water tucked away. The food is mostly my camping/hiking food, along with Textured Vegetable Protein that is vacuum sealed. In a really bad emergency, I can use this food and my camping gear to cook, and do quite well. Given that I also have lanterns and the like, I have gone for a few days without power in winter without much discomfort.

One point on flashlights is to get a good one. They don’t cost that much more and, believe me, they pay for themselves in real life as well as in emergencies. My flashlight of choice now is a Hubble Light [UPDATE:  No longer made, alas]. These are brighter than most Mags, lighter, still can be used in some/most hazardous conditions, and won’t roll. Between the “sides” and built-in clips and such, they are extremely versatile.

I will finish for today by saying that you should also have spare batteries and battery-operated radios or TV’s around as well. They are not expensive, and are good to have.

Stay tuned for the next installment of rational preparedness.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Preparedness Week:  Bigger, Better, Where to Cut

Originally posted June 24, 2004

Or, Drums, Caches, and Staging. Small kits and preparations are nice, but there is a need to go bigger and better for true preparedness. There is also a need to be prepared to pare down. This can be done in an efficient and inexpensive way, with the right planning.

Small kits hold small amounts of materials, and will get you by short term. If you are worried about longer term issues, from severe winter weather cutting you off from the world to someone doing something really nasty, you need a bit more tucked away. One of the best means of doing this are paint buckets.

Paint buckets are for all practical purposes air and water tight when sealed, hold a large volume, and have many, many uses. They can store items, they can store liquids, and they make handy-dandy field expedient toilets as needed. Their use is limited largely by your imagination.

I use them for larger kits and bulk storage (and when brewing beer). There are some kits I have done in them that contain somewhere on the order of a hundred different items. Others serve as hygiene kits, holding 12-24 vacuum sealed (to reduce bulk) rolls of toilet tissue, tampons, toothbrushes, and other such items. Still others hold bulk packages of textured vegetable protein, salt, baking soda, and other food. They are easy to carry, easy to transport, easy to store, and have at least a 20 year shelf life if kept in cool, dry places. Line one with about three garbage bags, cut several layers of cardboard for a seat, and you have a field toilet. Once opened and used, they can then be used for other purposes, such as hauling water or other materials.

Do I have all of this here at the lair? Not hardly. You see, one of the things I have done is tuck some of these items away at other locations, ones that I am likely to head to or by if I have to bug out in an emergency. That way, if the disaster hits while I am out or away, I still have options. They also provide the people I care about a core around which to build their own preparations. If I am home and have to bug out, it gives me flexibility in choosing what to take.

Which leads us to the concept of staging. When planning a bug out, plan it for several levels. If there is time, I am going to load as much as possible into my vehicle. In fact, I am going to try to take it all with me. If the vehicle dies or there is another problem, I am prepared to switch to a bike and proceed on with all that I can. When the bike fails, then I am on foot and reduced to what I can carry on my back.

Remember also that the ability to move long distances as quickly as possible is often a key to surviving any disaster. Having as many modes short of walking greatly improves your odds, so try to figure out how to give yourself as many options as possible. For example, there is a rental center almost next door. If time permits, I would look at renting a truck and trailer. Load as much as possible in the smallest truck I can get, get the vehicle(s) up on the trailer, and bug out. If something happened to the truck, then pare down to the vehicle(s). When something happens to the vehicle(s), go to motorcycles or bikes. If something happens to them, try to find a horse. Only as a last resort should you go to shank’s mare.

Plan ahead for this, decide in advance what will get taken, and what will get left at each stage. If you have caches elsewhere, it makes that decision process much, much easier. The more you plan, the better off you are going to be. So, plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Preparedness Week:  Packs

Originally posted June 23, 2004

Disasters come in all sizes and shapes. Some can be shrugged off, and others can and do require a great deal of effort. While my preference is to stay put if at all possible, sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes, you may find yourself moving out on shank’s mare. When that happens, how do you take your world with you, especially when it may not be a paved road or even a path you have to follow?

The simple answer is as old as most of recorded history: you put it on your back. This limits what you can carry, but you can get a surprising amount out that way. I have my big pack for big things:

And I have smaller packs for smaller things and smaller people:

Now, I have these because I love hiking and camping, and because of work. The big pack was bought for the former, and the smaller pack for the latter. Why on Earth would I need a pack for work? Simple, when doing trade shows you need to carry out each night the truly valuable stuff, lest it disappear. The pack was the easiest way to do this, and it also tended to draw less attention from thieves and muggers than the fancy cases used by others. It also could be used for any hiking or climbing I got to do whilst on such trips…

Now, the large pack is not fully packed as shown here. There are many things, such as sleeping bags, that should not be kept compressed. I have all of my gear in one area, so that in an emergency I can pack it very quickly. The paper you see is a note to myself on some items, including where to find them. Things that can be packed ahead of time are, and many are packed in add-on pockets already in place. I like the add-on packs and pockets as they give a great deal of flexibility, and they give you additional options for caching and flat-out ditching. I have a post here talking about snivel gear and such that goes in the pack.

The short version is that I have shelter, light, food, water, means to get more potable water, comfort gear, some clothes, comfort gear, and means for defense and hunting. The load-out will vary based on the disaster at hand. By swapping out add-ons and such, the conversion can take place very rapidly if need be.

The smaller packs are for smaller emergencies and smaller people. In any disaster, everyone must pull their weight, from the eldest present to the youngest. Given that not everyone can carry a 50-100 pound pack, have some around that are appropriate for the others involved. As I said before, I use these for other things, so make yours multitask as well. Be creative, and give the items as much fun use as possible.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Preparedness Week:  Car Kits

Originally posted June 22, 2004

What do you do if a hose develops a leak in your car? If you get stuck? Stranded? Are you prepared to deal with everyday life, much less a disaster, if you are out and about in your car?

Below is part of the gear I have tucked away in my car. It is only part because I got tired and lazy, and refused to haul up any more to photograph it. This gives you a good idea and basis on which to build. Here you can see a means to inflate a tire or anything else that can be blown up, pull myself out of a ditch, fix minor mechanical problems, and bug out if needed.

Believe it or not, this all fits in a very compact area, and with it I can handle most things that happen. A small pack that has some food, a compass, and other small items gives the ability to leave the vehicle if necessary. But, most things are designed to let me keep mobile in the vehicle.

Notice the collapsible water jug in the mix. Remember the first question? Let me tell you what some people I know did. The hose went out in the middle of nowhere, and they made it to the side of the road safely. A rag helped dry the hose off, and reinforced tape allowed a temporary patch to be made. They then used a collapsible jug to get water from a nearby creek, refilled the radiator, and made it to where they could do a proper repair. What could have been a real problem was turned instead into a minor inconvenience and a good story.

I have managed to get stuck a couple of times over the years, and so have a come-along tucked away. In place of steel cable, I bought the strapping from a cargo parachute used to drop heavy things. This is just as strong as cable, takes up less room, and cost far less. The bonus was getting twice the length for less than half the cost of half the length. The come-along has also come in handy for moving objects out of the way or off of things.

The tool kit should be obvious, and good small kits are not expensive these days. I do recommend putting in some hose clamps and such as they come in handy. Cord or rope do as well, as does some wire. Get heavy duty jumper cables, they are worth the extra money. With these things, minor problems remain that, and not something that keeps you stranded and dependent on strangers and/or the authorities.

I have two first aid kits, as each has different things inside. This gives me options and flexibility in an emergency, and helps ensure that at least one will be available when needed.

The pack not only allows me to bug out, but also to stay put if needed. It has an emergency blanket, an Exstream water purification bottle, a day’s worth of dried food, compass, light, and such. It is mostly empty, however, so that I can add to it things from the car that might be needed. With it and its contents, I can survive a great deal and have options as to staying or going.

There is a folding shovel for dealing with a variety of situations. I can dig myself out, dig a latrine, or even make a quick shelter if needed. There is a canvas tarp to provide extra cover if needed, along with smaller stuff to provide comfort. I have a small fabric cooler as well, both for unplanned shopping and to provide an insulated container if needed in a real emergency. The axe and knife come in handy as well.

There are some canvas bags I picked up at trade shows in there too. They come in handy for hauling things, and I would point out that one that is waterproofed as a beach bag also makes a handy container for transporting liquids.

There are a few other goodies, including road flares, but you get the idea. So, what’s in your car?

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Preparedness:  Room Kits

Originally posted June 21, 2004

Into each life some rain must fall, but it does not have to fall in the bedroom. That is the basic premise behind the room kits (previously discussed here) I have in each major room of the house. Huntsville seems to have a bullseye painted on it when to comes to weather, and in the two times I have lived here I have seen several tornados, heard a few more, seen a trees go down, seen a tall oak go down over a truck longways such that it looked like an oak hotdog in an F-150 bun, and seen lightening drop 20-30 feet of tree top down through the roof of my neighbor’s bedroom and through the floor (fortunately, he wasn’t home).

So, long before Tom Ridge thought it was a good idea, I started keeping some things handy. When any emergency happens, time is of the essence, so you don’t want to waste time hunting supplies whilst the outside pours in. To that end, there is latch top storage container in each room with some basics. Those usually consist of tape, tacks, brads, hammer, plastic, small first aid kit, knife or some means to cut the plastic, and some form or forms of alternate lighting. There are often other things, most often including a couple of decks of cards.

The plastic sheeting is the central player in these kits, as everything else pretty much revolves around it. The plastic can cover electronics, furniture and more to protect it from the elements if there is a whole in wall or roof, or a window is blown out. It can then be used to patch the hole if possible. Even if there are tree parts or such in the way, you can use the plastic sheeting to block, and even to re-direct the water back out or where it will do the least damage. It can cover where the window used to be, or in the event of a man-made disaster, cover the window. The various types of tape, tacks, brads, cutting tools, and such are all there to support this effort.

Each room has its own flashlight, and each kit has chemical lights, candle lanterns, and maybe another flashlight. I want as many options as possible, for as many disasters as possible. If gas or inflammability is an issue, I have chemical lights, and my flashlights (Hubble) are designed for such environments. If long-term lighting is needed (winter storm or such), I have the candle lantern and candles along with waterproof matches. The church key gives me a bottle and can opener, and the cards a means of passing time if needed.

You will note that every kit of every type discussed this week will have one thing in common: a pencil. Pens are great and I keep them around, but pens dry up and don’t work under a lot of conditions. Pencils will work almost anytime and anywhere, and are easy to sharpen. So, there is one in every kit. I also tend to put the medicines I use or might need the most in each kit.

Now, the room kit is not designed for heavy work. It does not contain anything that will remove tree parts, pry things apart, or do other Herculean tasks. It gives you some basics to protect property, treat small ouches, and get a handle on things. But that is crucial because in any emergency you want to buy yourself as much quality time as possible. That time is what gives you a chance to think, to plan, and to act in a deliberate manner to meet whatever challenge has arisen, while retaining as many assets and options as possible. Especially if you have to wait on emergency crews, insurance adjusters, or others who don’t quite share your sense of urgency about the situation.

Also in each room is an emergency food kit. Also in a latch-top container, these vary but most often have textured vegetable protein in various forms, along with other goodies that vary based on what I had that would last a while and might be good. Vacuum packed coffee is in many of them, along with other “just add water” items. I also stick other things in there that might be useful, from spare keys sewing kits. If there is room, why not make use of it? These kits are not short term or pretty, but are designed for long-term storage and viability. Just in case.

These kits are all modular for a reason. Actually, for several reasons. First, it makes them easy to store, tucked away in the back of a closet or on top of a cabinet out of sight. It provides some weather protection for the contents as well. It also makes it easy for bugging out, in that the containers are easily grabbed and loaded into a vehicle. I will discuss staging more later, but the containers give you maximum flexibility and utility. Having them in multiple locations also guarantees that if the disaster damages or destroys part of your home, at least some of the kits should survive intact.

One final note is that you will notice a lot of things in the kits are vacuum sealed. I have a food saver, and will note that it does not have to be used just for food. I have sealed up papers from my parent’s estate for storage; what I hope will be collectible items for future enjoyment or sale; and, even weapons of various types. I love my food saver system in the kitchen, but don’t let its use stop there. Think about this, and about what other things you may have that can do double duty.

Monday, December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas

Our day is off to a good start.  Jenny and I have both recovered from the adventures of yesterday, and Santa was good to her despite same.  She found gourmet canned dog food under the tree (Thanksgiving feast, Med. Banquet, Wild Game delight) and a stocking full of all sorts of treats.  Daddy, well, Daddy is happy with his two new pair of jeans, some new socks, and a wonderful time last night with friends.  May your day be filled with love, laughter, and light, as ours has been.

LW

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Matters of Life and Death:  The Blank Shall Inherit

Originally posted May 9, 2004

Just a few thoughts on who gets what. First, if you are an Executor/Executrix, I have used a rule that works well: play nice, or you don’t get to play at all. Cuts down tremendously on family and other spats. One example is all it usually takes to get the point across.

As for those who demand you give them something, give them what they truly deserve and have asked for. Think about it a bit, for it rarely is what they think they have demanded. Being creative can give you lots of enjoyment, and done right may even help them learn a much needed lesson.

For those who try to guilt or whine their way into something, they deserve nothing. Nothing more need be said.

Then there are those who will never ask for anything, either because they don’t feel it is right to ask for even a remembrance, or that they don’t deserve anything. Take care of them, for they deserve much more than they are ever likely to get.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Matters of Life and Death:  Lists

Originally posted May 9, 2004

As a follow-up to my post of yesterday, I was reminded later of the need to discuss lists. Having a list of who you want to get various things is good. Having someone demand a list of all assets is often a bad thing. My take on it is that if there is no legal requirement to do so, and you are properly indemnified, tell whomever asks for such to take a hike. Lawyers will often ask for it so they can read it (at $XXX.XX per hour) and find ways to get involved and stay involved (at $XXX.XX per hour). Not good, unless there is a specific issue that you do want or need a legal opinion. Your estate, or that which you are executing, is none of anyone else’s business. My estate is none of anyone else’s business, either, and I don’t share. I do, however, try to keep a list of major things with photographs so that I can document to my insurance company what I have and in what condition, for purposes of replacement if lost, stolen, damaged, etc. That is a good thing to do, so long as no one has any access to it except in the event of true need. Beware those who try to request, strongly request, coerce, shame, guilt, or otherwise get such a list without demonstrated need. They do not have your best interest at heart.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Food for Thought:  Matters of Life and Death

Originally posted May 8, 2004

One of the bits of personal business this last week was a meeting with the people who literally hold the power of life and death over me: holders of power(s) of attorney and executors. Now, I can already hear some people complaining that this is supposed to be a cheerful and upbeat post, and this subject is a drag. I disagree, and based on my view of life (plan for the worst, hope for the best, and take what comes because whatever you plan for never happens), this is upbeat.

The fact is, we all have plans for ourselves and our stuff. We know what we want and don’t want, and we have ideas about who should have what. Given the State’s interest in our stuff and where it goes, over a little matter of taxes and what else it can skim, it behooves us to make proper plans so that our stuff does not end up going to the greedy and grasping State, nor is our life and death left to something increasingly bloated and without honor in such matters.

Think it can’t happen? Take a look at what happens in your location to those who die without a will (intestate). In most cases, the State gets to decide who gets what, in what way, in what time, and with little or no choice as to taxes and fees or outright confiscation. There have been more than a few corruption problems in this area before, and many widows, children, or other survivors have been cheated out of everything, from their home to family heirlooms. Keep in mind that they will probably name some “friend of the court” to be Executor of your estate. If you want tragedy and circus in equal proportions, take a look at what happens when the State gets to decide on individual care and terminal care. None of this is a pretty sight, and is something to be avoided by any sane individual.

So, avoid the possibility – and ensure your long life – by making your decisions now, and by making them known in a legally binding manner. If you can’t afford full lawyer’s fees, there are many inexpensive or free services that will help you create and file wills and powers of attorney.

I’ve had a will since I was a teenager, because I owned land and needed to ensure its smooth passage, and have had powers of attorney/living wills since almost the same time because the State became involved with terminal care issues. Actually, my first such was more an “insurance policy” with a friend (and a shotgun) who would deal with the situation if I was ever placed on life support with no hope. Such things are much better handled for all concerned by appropriate paper, but it was reassuring to know the “policy” was out there.

Your will simply says who gets what, and who is responsible for getting stuff to the right location. The person responsible is the Executor/Executrix, and they have the power under law to make sure all your legal wishes are carried out. There are some limits on them, so make your wishes fairly reasonable, and they can and will take care of it. The key here is to select someone you trust completely, and have at least two people of equal integrity on standby to take over in case something happens to the first choice. Having backup ensures that the State has minimal involvement, and cuts down considerably on lawyer’s fees, court costs, filing fees, and the like. Having been through this process several times now, I will testify that backups and such are a very good thing.

Now, I did have a complex will, actually I still do. My will first of all saw to the care and protection of my father, so that he would be taken care of as best possible if anything happened to me. There were other provisions where I took care of a number of other people, mostly cousins, did some charitable trusts, and more. Many things have changed, however, most import is the fact that my father is no longer an issue. Having been through the process more than once has also played into things, and I have learned both to keep it simple and a few “tricks” to cut down on legal interactions, fees, and such. I will be making a number of changes as a result.

My single bit of advice here is to keep it as simple as possible. Pick a good person as your Executor (and backups), and trust them to do the job. Don’t place a lot of burdens on them, indemnify them, and trust them to do the job. With luck, all they will have to do is pay the lawyer for helping file, any filing fees, and then they can tell the lawyer and the State where to go. Your stuff can then go where you want it to go. A “trick” to consider where the lawyers will allow it is to give the Executor/Executrix everything, and provide them with non-lawyered, non-binding (except morally) written instructions on who gets what. My Mom did this very simply: she had written notes taped to things with the name of who should get it, history, and other details. Made life very much easier for Dad and myself.

To my mind, even more important than the Will is the power of attorney issue. Powers of Attorney can cover many things, and I have two: one for general and financial issues, and one for healthcare.
Let’s say that something really bad happens to us, such as being tackled by Al Franken or Spongemike Sweatpants, and we end up in the hospital in a coma. Who pays your bills? Who collects your insurance? Who goes after those that hurt you, and seeks settlements on your behalf? Who feeds the cats? Who can even go in your apartment or home, legally? These are the types of things handled by a general power of attorney. I have picked a lead and backups that I trust with all my things without reservation, and through this document have given them the power to access all my accounts, pay bills, make investment decisions, declare bankruptcy, make or break leases, and otherwise do whatever is needed to take care of my estate, with the goal of conserving and expanding if circumstances allow. Given that I have selected people who are far better financial managers than I, it is entirely possible that should this be invoked, I might even wake up to find myself in far better shape than I was before.

Having this is crucial, because without it your friends or family must hire lawyers, go to court, and pay out the nose to have the state declare that it is legal for them to do this. The State may also place a lot of limits on them, and will also not indemnify them or otherwise ensure that they do not incur massive obligations and expenses. Think about this, because even if they have keys it may not be legal for them to enter your home, especially if it is a rental property, without your previously existing legal authorization. If they remove anything, it is theft. If they touch any of your financial assets, it can be both theft and tax fraud. There is also no guarantee that any friend or family member of yours will be picked by the State to be holder of . It may well be a lawyer or other “friend of the court” who is no friend to you and yours. Don’t take the chance.

While your estate is being take care of, you also need to have a Power of Attorney for Healthcare in place (along with a living will or other documents required in your locality) to ensure that YOU are taken care of in the manner you desire. Simply telling people is not enough. I have seen in real life people who knew the wishes of the sick/injured party fail to convey them or carry them out, because they did not have the strength, courage, or integrity to do so. It is a difficult burden, because you are putting your life in their hands. If you have elected not to receive heroic measures or other existence prolonging measures, you are literally asking that person to kill you. Make sure that you are not asking more than they can do.

My father trusted me to do that for him, and I trusted him to do the same. It was something we had discussed quite a bit, and we knew each other’s limits and desires for treatment, and for termination. I have discussed it quite a bit with those who now hold that power over me, and they know how I feel and I know that while they will not like it and it will make them sad, they have the courage and moral integrity to kill me. They have the strength not to keep me around and force me to suffer for their selfish desire not to let go. They love me fully enough to let me go when it is my time. When you pick your people, pick wisely, and do not ask too much of them. Nor should you think less of those you know can’t handle that duty. But pick them you must, for whether you live or exist rides with them. Otherwise, the State will make the decisions regardless of your wishes and desires, often with court processes that will last (and place burdens on your estate) for years and even decades after you are finally gone. Don’t go there.

As I said before, there are services that will help you set up such things for inexpensive (don’t go cheap on this!) or for free. Get forms and such from the WWW, fill them out, and get them to a service so that they are properly done and filed as needed, so that they are in force to protect you. Make sure your decision makers have copies of all notarized, filed, or needed documents. Hospitals and others will demand to see such copies, ID, and a lot more to cover themselves, so make sure you have proper legal copies of each. Once you do this, then think about it: you have planned for the worst. What you plan for never happens. Life is good, and you have taken mature steps to ensure that it remains good.

Some Additional Thoughts on Practical Preparedness

Originally posted December 21, 2003

This should have run a few days ago, but I got sidetracked. It is also a good example of being too close to the trees to see the forest.

In all my writing on practical preparedness, I failed to identify one of the most basic and needed preparations simply because it never truly occurred to me that it needed mentioning. Yet, it does because it is always the obvious that is missed.

Remember that a disaster need not be man made, and that no matter the cause one thing can almost always be assured: you will have to deal with bureaucracy. It is in the nature of natural disasters, and keep in mind that terrorists are here to hurt us, not help us by eliminating red tape, bean counters, and bureaucratic inefficiency. Indeed, if they truly wanted to hurt us and our way of life, they would have already detonated a bureaucrat bomb to increase bureaucracy 100 fold. Hmmmmmm. You don’t think…

Interesting speculation aside, you are going to need certain things no matter the disaster. You are going to need identification; you are going to need insurance numbers and related; you are going to need prescriptions and prescription information; and, you are going to need ready cash/valuables. These are things that need to be on you, and on others, during and after any disaster.

First, let’s look at who needs what. All adults need on them – not in a bag or other item that can be lost or stolen, but on them – a “master” set of documents. Given that I know far too many adults who are not nearly as responsible as some of their children, have at least one other member of the party have a master set as well.

Second, what are the needs of each master set? Easy. You need copies of each person’s drivers license and passport if they have one; a photograph or a good copy of a photograph of each person in the party; copies of critical pages of insurance records or all relevant insurance numbers, along with name of company, agent, toll free numbers, etc.; copies of bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and such; and it is not a bad idea to have copies of deeds, titles, or other relevant records in a reduced form. Each person should have a set of documents pertaining to them on them, for use and/or identification. In this way, you have every bit of information that red tape is likely to require.

Third, it is a good idea to have prescription medicine and copies of all pharmaceutical and eyewear prescriptions. This documents that you do indeed need and why you use them, and allows you to obtain replacements as needed. Remember, the odds are that you are going to have to prove a legitimate need in order to obtain medicines and the like, and that the natural tendency is going to be that you don’t need them unless you can provide overwhelming evidence. That is just the nature of the beast, and it has been seen many times in many disasters.

In an emergency, if your pharmacy is nearby and if you have time, get fresh refills before you head out. Your pharmacist is likely to be most helpful on this. Also keep in mind that even if you have to pay full price, it will be worth it and you can always charge it.

Fourth, have cash and credit cards in these packs. Use the credit cards as much as possible, but keep in mind that in an emergency many places will only take cash. My recommendation is to have a variety of bills and to spread things out. Never flash a large roll, things are bad enough without inviting attacks or otherwise making the kids hope that the milkman really was their real father by acting the fool. In fact, it is a good idea to spread things around the party, so that even the baby is carrying something. That way, no matter what, the odds are that some of it will be missed if things truly hit the fan. Having the numbers and the toll-free numbers also means that you can cancel the cards as soon as practical if they do get lost or stolen.

Another thing to consider in addition to cash is to have some other commodity on you. Gold coins come in a variety of sizes, are easily hidden, and readily exchanged for goods or money the world over. High-end jewelry can be used the same way. Think about it, think practical, and then act.

Now, this seems like a lot, but it really is not much more than is recommended for any traveler. Each of my suitcases has a page condom or two filled with this type of information, including copies of power of attorney and advanced healthcare information and directives. That is another thing you should have: blood type, allergies, and other critical information. That way, if things go really badly for you, the information is there for first responders and treatment facilities. I still wear a set of dog tags just for this purpose.

Make this a part of your normal travel planning, and make it a part of your disaster preparedness planning as well. The more you plan and prepare, the better off you are if things do go wrong, be it weather or man. The motto applies to us all: Be Prepared. And remember the wolf’s motto: That which you plan for, never happens. So plan for the worst, hope for the best, and take what comes.

Laugh of the Day:  AP vs. Bloggers

This is wonderful.  Go read it, and thanks to Instapundint for the link. 

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Practical Preparedness: Some Final Thoughts on Bugging Out

Originally posted November 6, 2003

Or staying put, as the case may be. I know many of you are rolling your eyes and that there are private comments aplenty about getting backpacks and camping gear. That is your choice, but I will make just a couple more suggestions.

One, for crying out loud get the knapsacks with waist belts for your kids. The amount of books they have to haul around at, to, and from school these days is ridiculous and the resulting back damage beyond the pale. There are some with both waist belts and wheels, but before getting one with wheels try wearing one for a while. I did, and promptly donated it to charity with an apology to the charity. Those wheels hurt and can do damage if you use it as a real pack.

Two, even if you don’t camp or even hike in the park, get some decent rain gear for your kids. Gortex and other delights are wonderful, lightweight, and can even be warm. Be sensible and get some, for that type stuff always comes in handy with kids no matter where you live.

Three, get some decent walking shoes or boots for them too. Boots can be stylish these days, and will come in handy for some afterschool or other types of activities. Good walking shoes or boots come in handy no matter what.

Four, consider the same for yourself. Face it, the kids can probably outhike and outwalk you anyway if they are over 6 years of age, but having some decent footware handy makes it less a crushing defeat than otherwise.

To stay or go is your choice, but remember that good shoes, good gear, and good clothing can make a difference no matter what.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Saving Pvt. Journalism, The Wrap Up

Originally posted June 25, 2003

Aren’t you glad I’m finally finished.

There is more that can and should be said, but I think that I am going to leave it to the people I am trying to get to provide some guest blogs. What I have done is to try and provide some history and context to the situation we face, as well as some constructive recommendations on what to do.

For me, the situation can be summed up with the following statements:

Blogs are the long-anticipated “new media” and the new journalism. Blogs show the best, and the worst, of what can be done in terms of almost real-time information transferal. The best of the blogs report, update, correct, and provide commentary in a timely manner that makes the best of television and radio seem glacial in comparison. The best of the blogs also provide the thought pieces that are necessary as well.

Media consumers are becoming more savvy every day. The trust factor is down significantly with mainstream media and The Media in particular, and a surprising number of people are now turning not to the Web per se, but to the blogs for news and information that is accurate and reliable, as well as for reasoned commentary and debate. This particular trend is only going to increase.

The Media and “journalists” are getting a rude awakening on many levels. Bias, distortions, lies and fabrications, and much more are now being exposed in ways not possible before. Questions are being asked and answers demanded, a thing that is beyond the ken for many of these people. Outlets and journalists are being held to account to a degree never before seen in the history of journalism. That they are less than happy at having their own tactics and “rules” applied to them as organizations and individuals is understandable, if amusing.

Specific suggestions are reiterated below, with a listing by who needs to do what:

You, the reader and consumer of media from blogs to movies, need to:

1. Let your congresscritter know, in no uncertain terms, that attacks on freedom of the press will not be tolerated, and that blogs and people on the net are just as much journalists as are people at the New York Times or Fox News. Remind them also that America does not condone or accept the licensing of media.

2. Let your congresscritter know that you oppose other government involvement in, and regulation of, the Internet for any reason. What is free speech today is all too likely to end up as pornographic or unacceptable tomorrow. Beware the slippery slope.

3. Support your local blogger. Make that monetary donation if they have a tip jar, and make comments to keep them honest. Promote valid discussion and rational discourse. That is, after all, one of your duties to the Republic as a Citizen. It should even be argued that it is your duty as a Citizen of the World.

4. Since no outlet can have specialists in all areas, if you see a problem let the outlet know in a constructive manner. Offer to help them with correction, correct information, introduction to experts, etc.

5. If the outlet won’t make a correction or is otherwise uninterested, let the blogs know and see if pressure can be applied that way. Public ridicule can work wonders…

6. Be an informed consumer of news from The Media. Learn the track records and background of the local or other reporters of interest. If you find they are lacking, switch media and let it be known. Media outlets are businesses, and they can and will change tunes – and reporters or editors – if the proper motivation is applied.

7. If you can’t get others to blog about problems in local or other media, do it yourself. Follow the rules (learn the difference between libel and slander, and avoid both) and do the best job you possibly can. Yes, it will cost you time and money, but that is one of the responsibilities we, as citizens, must bear.

The Media, those that call themselves journalists and news people, and the pundits who publish or broadcast through the same need to do the following:

1. Abolish the practice of so-called advocacy reporting. It is not journalism, it is not good “press” work, and it seriously compromises any pretext at doing real journalism.

2. Make use of specialists in subject areas, particularly in science, business, law, military, and other arcane matters. These are not compromised sources nor should they be second class citizens in the news structure. They are valuable resources and should be treated as such, be they on staff or freelance.

3. Make use of specialists all the way through the process. From writing to headline writing, make use of that knowledgebase so as to avoid mistakes and other problems.

4. No outlet can have all the specialists it needs, so make use of freelance specialists as well. Freelance does not mean tainted or unwashed, and does not automatically mean compromised in the journalistic sense. Get some sense, and grow up on this matter.

5. Offer the same degree of transparency that you demand of big business, government agencies, and others. You are a business, a big business, and need to be held to the same rules and standards to which others are required to meet.

6. Accept the fact that journalists are not elites, and that the club is open to anyone. Quit putting on airs, looking down your nose, and deliberately withholding of the term journalists to those who don’t happen to toil at a major daily. In short, get over it.

7. Make conflict of interest rules and ideals have relevance by including political and other sources of bias as much a part of them as financial and work history are supposed to be today.

8. Start correcting mistakes online, and do so by updating rather than trying to put things down the memory hole.

9. Study the best practices of the blogs and start making use of it on your own online sites.

10. Improve journalism schools and training, so that students are exposed to new ideas, concepts, and more in school. Fair and balanced needs to start there, if it is ever to make it into The Media.

Bloggers need to do the following:

1. Operate to the highest standards of personal and professional ethics. This does not mean play nice or only use good and proper language, but it does mean getting things right, doing things right, and obeying the letter and spirit of the law. Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

2. You/we need not only to point out problems, but suggest means of remediation directly or encourage discourse such that one or more means are developed in the course of said discussion.

3. You/we also need to make use of the fantastic opportunity to update, correct, and refine offered through the medium. The best already do this, the rest of us need to follow the lead.

There you have it. Ten posts, a lot of information and food for thought, and I hope that it does spark some good discussions on a crucial topic.

Content copyright C. Blake Powers and the individual authors. Comments become the property of C. Blake Powers and may be altered, edited, deleted, and used by C. Blake Powers or the individual authors without restriction or recompense.